Another apartment block is found riddled with defects – after massive complex with 900 units was deemed ‘at risk of collapse’

Developers of yet another apartment complex have been told they must urgently resolve a number of problems within weeks after it emerged that a complex of 900 units was in danger of collapsing.

The five-storey, 31-apartment building at 11-15 Mitchell Avenue in Jannali, in Sydney’s south, was found to have a total of 47 defects during an inspection in 2023.

Developers Mitchell Avenue Development received a construction rectification order from the NSW Building Commission on Thursday.

Problems were found with the concrete and watertightness of the complex, while fire safety was not satisfactory according to the report.

Mitchell Avenue Development has 120 days, or until May 31, to complete work to correct the defects.

Cracks have been found in the concrete on an apartment balcony and in the building’s fire escape, while ‘foreign objects’ have been found in the material in ‘several areas’ of the underground car park.

The fire escape on the fourth floor of the complex was found to have cracked concrete that exposed the rebar, causing it to rust.

Other areas of concrete were found not to have been properly vibrated or compacted, leading to and weakening areas of ‘segregation and honeycombing’.

Waterproofing issues were responsible for 16 of the defects after inspectors found numerous instances of water entering the property and damaging units.

Another 17 defects were found to arise from fire safety, including an opening in a fire door.

It was also found that all doors to service cupboards on residential floors did not have fire-resistant, non-combustible covers or smoke seals.

The report said Mitchell Avenue Development is “committed” to fixing the defects, but questioned why the builder, Truland Development, was not also “pursued.”

The Mitchell Avenue property (pictured) had numerous issues, giving the developers, Mitchell Avenue Development, until May 31 to fix all defects

Mitchell Avenue Development said they are “committed” to resolving the issues, but questioned why the builder, Truland Development (pictured), was not also involved in the report.

Acting NSW Building Commissioner Elizabeth Stewart wrote in the report that she had “considered and accepted” that the extensive work to address the defects is likely to be expensive but must meet industry standards.

“However, the costs to the developer must be weighed against the benefits to the users of the development,” she wrote.

“Given these potential consequences, as set out in this order, I place greater weight on the seriousness of the defects and failure to comply with Australia’s Australian Standards and Building Regulations.”

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Truland Development for comment.

It comes just weeks after another construction rectification order was issued for Greenland, Australia, the developers behind 23 Halifax Street in Macquarie Park.

Severe damage and deterioration of the concrete slabs at the connection locations between the basement and the ground floor and at levels six, 11, 17, 22 and 31 were noted.

The problems, which the order said were caused “by defective workmanship,” could cause the entire 900-unit building, or portions of the building, to fall, the order said.